Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Preamble to the Constitution: How Do You Make a More Perfect Union?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students analyze the Preamble of the Constitution and identify the historical context that led to its wording. They, in groups, interpret phrases from the Preamble, examine relevant court cases and create illustrations for their portion...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

The Greek Alphabet: More Familiar Than You Think!

For Teachers K - 2nd
In this Greek alphabet lesson, pupils explore the Phoenician origins to the Greek alphabet. Learners compare Greek letters to current letters and write a paragraph about the life of students in ancient Greece. They also identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow the Marx

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore communism from historical and theoretical perspectives to present to fellow classmates at a teach-in. Each team of students be responsible for researching and presenting on one of the suggested topics in the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

1930 Census and the Consitution

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students read the Constitution and discuss the importance of enumeration. In this Census lesson, students complete a Census schedule and discuss the job skills of applicants. Students research Census data to compare and contrast the...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

The Purpose of the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What does the Constitution have to do with my life? This is a question teachers hear on a day-to-day basis. Teach high schoolers just how relevant the US Constitution is to them today with essays, real-life connection activities, and...
Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Euthanasia

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze euthanasia as a possible way to die.  In this controversial instructional activity, students reflect and discuss euthanasia as a possible way to enter death.  Classroom discussion allows students to voice their...
Lesson Plan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The First Communities

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
These documents list essential questions and foundational concepts associated with early civilizations and farming communities in the agricultural revolution. Use this as a starting point for developing specific lessons and activities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fidel Castro: El Comandante

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students view a documentary on Fidel Castro. After nearly forty years of rule, he remains one of the most controversial political figures of the twentieth century. After viewing, students discuss what they saw and research the Cuban...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Outer Space

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students use the internet to gather information on the solar system. They identify the discoverer and unique characteristics of each planet. They compare and contrast each planet based on size, mass, and distance from the sun. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social and Cultural Issues in the Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers watch videos, listen to speeches and analyze the information that is presented about the civil rights movement. They examine visual art of the period.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridging the gap between the U.S. and Cuba

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the events that led to the strained relationship between Cuba and the United States.  In this US History lesson, 11th graders create an illustrated timeline of Cuba-U.S. relations.  Students write an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just an Environment or a Just Environment?

For Teachers All
This lesson plan explores the multiple causes of racial segregation and environmental racism, and helps students understand the perpetuation of institutional racism in the post-Civil Rights era. Students will perform a mock tribunal in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Breadline": The Great Depression Causes, Consequences and Recovery

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars compare prices of popular items of late 1920s to cost of those items presently, determine which companies are best in which to invest, analyze causes and consequences of stock market crash of 1929, and evaluate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Setting Boundaries

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the determination of the boundaries of various countries. They work in small groups to research a country's political history and past boundary issues and territorial disputes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Round and Round-The Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore the water cycle. In this earth science activity, students work in small groups to read various books on the water cycle and take notes on chart paper. Students share their notes and teach a younger audience what they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mary Todd Tours the World

For Teachers K - 5th
Pupils analyze how distinguishing another culture encourages us to respect each other. They research culture and all its avenues, recognizing and comprehending the relationship between people and geography. Ultimately, they can apply...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Beginning of the War -- Two Views on Texas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the factors that can lead to war, and the motivations of countries going into war. They research two viewpoints on Texas during the Mexican War and participate in a debate with their classmates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cold War Era Film Censorship: High Noon- a Slice of Americana Or Communist

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study of the effects of the Cold War on the home front. They analyze the film High Noon according to an abbreviated version of the standards that films were judged by in the early 1950s and determine whether or not High Noon is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nitrogen Cycle-Stream Side Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A thorough background and nitrate sampling lab sheet are provided to share with your young scientists. After discussing the nitrogen cycle with the class, you will break them into small groups and show them how to use their inquiry...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

Hey, King: Get Off Our Backs!

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Young historians explore the reason American colonists were unhappy under British rule. Class members complete hands-on activities and participate in a group discussions to understand why colonists drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debate over the Ratification of the Constitution

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders discuss the creation of the United States, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Through a class debate, role-playing Federalists and Anti-federalists, they identify the reasons for and against ratification...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hypothetical Heights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in an interdisciplinary lesson to discuss improvements that would make them want to return to a previously poor neighborhood.  In this civics lesson, students work in a budget to make a plan to better their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

2nd Grade - Act. 04: What Time Is It?

For Teachers 2nd
How do you teach time? Using various stories, 2nd graders will learn about the concept of a daily schedule to develop a sense of self. They will complete a time of day chart and learn about the basic concepts of time beyond a minute....
Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Crime and Punishment

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Should the United States ban the death penalty? Scholars use real-life examples of criminal activity to come to their own conclusions on the death penalty. Primary source documents, as well as video clips, open the issue of capital...